Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue which is of such importance to parents of primary school children in counties Offaly and Laois. I am raising this issue as a result of numerous representations which I have received from parents who are extremely concerned that dental check-ups or screenings are not being carried out as frequently as was the norm in the past by the midlands public dental service.

We know from our census figures that our population and that the children eligible for and requiring the service has seen a considerable increase in recent years. From 2008 to 2017, County Offaly has seen an increase of 4%, while County Laois has seen a much larger increase of 25% in the same period. In fact, if we go back as far as 2002, the figures are even more concerning, especially in County Laois which has seen an increase 46% in numbers of children aged five to 12 years of age.

What is the problem? There has been a reduction in dental surgeons available to provide basic dental care. This has led to significant concerns for parents who were depending on the programme which had been rolled out to first class, fourth class and sixth class pupils. Despite the increase in the number of children eligible to avail of the service, the number of whole-time equivalent dental surgeons has reduced dramatically in counties Offaly and Laois by 56%. As far back as 2009, fourth class had to be dropped from the service altogether, while only first and sixth class targeted for routine treatment. Now in 2017, only sixth class is being targeted. As for first class children, preventive treatment will be provided to them only if resources are available.

The midlands public dental department needs an increase of at least 3.5 whole-time equivalents to return to the previous provision of the service to first, fourth and sixth class. We know best practice guidelines advise that, at the very least, children should have an annual check-up. We are slipping further away from that target. Accordingly, it is imperative the dental department in the midlands gets sanction from Health Service Executive, HSE, management to recruit a vacant dental surgeon position. A major recruitment drive for dental services must be a priority for approval by the HSE. I know the parents of primary school children in counties Offaly and Laois expect no less and their children deserve no less.

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